Different Types of Mice That Can Be Kept as Pets

Mice are adorable and intelligent pets that come in various breeds, making them a popular choice among pet lovers. If you’re considering getting a mouse as a pet, there are several types of mice you can choose from, each with its unique features and characteristics.

In this article, we’ll explore different types of mice that can be kept as pets and provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision.

Types of Mice You Can Keep as Pets

So, here is the list of mice you can keep as pets:

Fancy Mice

Fancy mice are the most common type of mice kept as pets. They are small, friendly, and have a broad range of coat colors and patterns, making them aesthetically pleasing to look at. Fancy mice are active, social, and enjoy the company of other mice. It’s recommended that they are kept in pairs or groups.

Field Mice

Field mice are wild mice that can be caught and kept as pets. While they are not recommended as pets due to their wild nature, some people choose to keep them as pets. It’s important to note that they can carry diseases and parasites, so they require extra care and attention.

Pygmy Mice

Pygmy Mice are small, cute, and playful pets. They are active and love to play, making them excellent pets for children. Pygmy mice require a small cage and need plenty of exercise and entertainment.

White Mice

White Mice are a breed of fancy mice with white coats. They are not a separate species, but they are bred specifically for their white coat color. They are sociable and active pets and require a proper diet and plenty of exercises.

Black Mice

Black Mice are another breed of fancy mice that are bred specifically for their black coat color. Like white mice, they are sociable and active pets and require a proper diet and plenty of exercises.

Long-Tailed Grass Mice

Long-Tailed Grass Mice are active, social, and curious pets that make excellent pets. They are a bit larger than fancy mice and come in various colors and patterns. They require a large cage, plenty of exercises, and a proper diet.

Harvest Mice

Harvest mice are the smallest rodents in Europe and are known for their agility and acrobatic skills. They are active, playful, and curious pets that require a small cage, plenty of exercises, and a proper diet.

Multimammate Mice

Multimammate mice are a species of mice that are sociable and active pets. They are slightly larger than fancy mice and have long, furry tails. Multimammate mice require a large cage, plenty of exercises, and a proper diet.

Pilliga Mouse

The Pilliga mouse is a small, native Australian rodent that is active and playful. They are social animals and enjoy living in pairs or groups, making them an ideal pet for someone who wants to keep more than one mouse.

Deer Mouse

The deer mouse is a common type of mouse found throughout North America. They are active and curious animals, and they have distinctive large ears and eyes. While they can be kept as pets, they are not as commonly kept as other types of mice.

White-footed Mouse

The white-footed mouse is a small, native North American rodent. They have a distinctive white underbelly and feet, which gives them their name. While they are not commonly kept as pets, they can make good pets for someone who wants a more unique type of mouse.

Cactus Mouse

The cactus mouse is a small, native North American rodent known for its agility and speed. They are active and curious animals, and they require a large, spacious cage to move around freely.

Cairo Spiny Mouse

The Cairo spiny mouse is a small, native African rodent known for its unique appearance. They have spiky coat that protects them from predators, and they require a diet that includes insects and seeds.

Shark Bay Mouse

The Shark Bay mouse is a small, native Australian rodent that is known for its friendly and social personality. They are active and playful animals, and they require a large, spacious cage to move around freely.

Sitka Mouse

The Sitka mouse is a small, native North American rodent known for its distinctive appearance. They have a dark, brown coat and large, dark eyes. While they are not commonly kept as pets, they can make good pets for someone who wants a more unique type of mouse.

Legality of Keeping Certain Species of Mice as Pets

The legality of keeping certain species of mice as pets can vary depending on your location. In general, most types of domesticated pet mice, such as fancy mice and dwarf hamsters, are legal to keep as pets in most places. However, some species of wild mice, such as deer mice and house mice, are not legal to keep as pets in some areas.

In addition, some species of exotic mice, such as spiny mice and multimammate mice, may require a permit to keep as pets in some areas. It’s essential to research the local laws and regulations in your area before getting a mouse as a pet to ensure that you are following the law.

It’s also important to ensure that the mouse you are getting is not an endangered or protected species, as it may be illegal to keep them as pets. If you’re ever unsure about the legality of keeping a certain species of the mouse as a pet, consult with a local veterinarian or animal control agency for advice.

What Type of Mouse Makes the Best Pet?

Fancy mice are the most commonly kept type of pet mice and are generally considered to make the best pets. Fancy mice are small, and friendly, and come in various coat colors and patterns, making them aesthetically pleasing. They are social animals and enjoy living in pairs or groups, which makes them ideal pets for someone who wants to keep more than one mouse.

In addition, fancy mice are relatively easy to take care of, and their diet and housing requirements are relatively simple. Other types of mice that make good pets include pygmy mice and dwarf hamsters.

However, when considering what type of mouse to keep as a pet, it’s essential to consider their temperament, diet, and housing needs to ensure that they are happy and healthy in their new home.

Do Mice Make Good Pets for Children?

Yes, mice can make excellent pets for children, especially fancy mice, and pygmy mice. These types of mice are small, friendly, and easy to handle, making them a good choice for children. Mice are also relatively low-maintenance pets, which can help children learn about responsibility and pet care.

However, it’s important to supervise children when handling mice and teach them how to interact with them properly. It’s also crucial to ensure that the mouse’s cage is clean and that they are receiving a balanced diet to keep them healthy.

Overall, mice can make great pets for children, but it’s important to ensure that both the child and the pet are comfortable with each other and that the child is aware of how to take care of their new pet.

How Long do Mice Live as Pets?

The lifespan of pet mice can vary depending on the species and breed. Fancy mice typically live for one to two years, while dwarf hamsters and gerbils can live for up to three years. However, with proper care and attention, some pet mice can live up to four years or more. The lifespan of a pet mouse can be affected by factors such as genetics, diet, exercise, and living conditions.

It’s essential to provide pet mice with a balanced diet, a spacious cage, and plenty of opportunities for exercise and play to ensure they live healthy and happy life.

If you’re considering keeping a mouse as a pet, it’s important to know its expected lifespan and provide them with the care they need to live a full and healthy life.

What Kind of Cage Should I Get for my Pet Mouse?

It’s important to provide your pet mouse with a spacious cage that allows them to move around freely. A cage with multiple levels, ramps, and tunnels is ideal, as it provides plenty of opportunities for exercise and play. The minimum size for a cage that can house one or two mice is 12 inches by 24 inches, but larger cages are always better.

The cage should be made of wire mesh or plastic and have a solid floor to prevent injuries to your pet’s feet. It’s important to ensure that the cage is well-ventilated and that your mouse has access to fresh air. In addition, the cage should be cleaned regularly to prevent the build-up of bacteria and waste.

You can line the cage with paper-based bedding or aspen shavings to provide a soft and comfortable sleeping area for your mouse. It’s also important to provide your mouse with toys, such as exercise wheels and tunnels, to keep them mentally and physically stimulated.

What Should I Feed my Pet Mouse?

Pet mice require a balanced diet that includes commercial mouse food, fresh vegetables, and occasional treats like fruit and seeds. Commercial mouse food, which is available at most pet stores, contains all the essential nutrients that your mouse needs. Make sure to choose a high-quality mouse food that is designed specifically for pet mice.

It’s important to feed your mouse the recommended amount of food each day to avoid overfeeding and obesity. In addition to mouse food, you can offer your mouse small amounts of fresh vegetables, such as carrots, broccoli, and spinach.

This will provide your mouse with additional vitamins and minerals. You can also offer occasional treats like small pieces of fruit and seeds, but make sure to limit the amount of treats you give your mouse to prevent overfeeding. It’s important to provide your mouse with fresh water at all times, either in a water bottle or a shallow dish.

Make sure to clean the water container regularly to prevent the build-up of bacteria. If you’re ever unsure about what to feed your mouse, consult with a veterinarian who specializes in small animals for advice.

Conclusion

Mice are adorable and intelligent pets that come in various breeds, each with unique features and characteristics. From fancy mice and dwarf hamsters to gerbils and harvest mice, there are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to keeping a mouse as a pet.

When selecting a pet mouse, it’s essential to consider their temperament, diet, and housing needs to ensure they are happy and healthy in their new home.